Putin Visits Chechnya for 1st Time Since 2011

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Chechnya met its leader Ramzan Kadyrov on his first official visit to the region since 2011.

Kadyrov, who is a key Kremlin ally, said that he has deployed thousands of fighters to help Russia.

Last May, Putin revealed that he planned to visit Chechnya on Kadyrov's invitation, saying "I will do everything possible for this trip to take place."

In a video posted by RIA Novosti news agency, Kadyrov shook hands with Putin when he arrived Grozny.

Putin then hugged Kadyrov before they got into a limousine together.

Kadyrov wrote on Telegram that there would be a "packed program" of events.

He added: "Vladimir Vladimirovich despite the hard working day is full of energy and ready to visit several places in Chechnya," he wrote.

Earlier Tuesday, Putin visited other North Caucasus regions including Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia.